RAND HRS Data (Version F)

June 02, 2006

A new version of the RAND HRS Data File has been released, replacing all
prior versions.

The RAND HRS Data file is a cleaned and easy-to-use version of the Health and Retirement
Study (HRS) with derived variables covering a broad range of measures and named
consistently across waves. The file was developed by the RAND Center for the Study of Aging
with funding from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and Social Security
Administration (SSA).

As of 2006, nine HRS waves are available for study. The RAND HRS Data file
(Version F) is based on 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998,
2000, and 2002 final releases, and the 2004 early release of
HRS data. The complete HRS includes five entry cohorts, as
does the RAND file. The file incorporates only the core interviews.
It does not include exit interview or any restricted data.

Besides incorporating the 2004 early release, this version corrects known problems
and adds a few new variables, including 2nd home value from 1998 forward.

Please see the rnd_Fdd.pdf file for a brief data description. The data
are described in detail in the RAND HRS Data Documentation,
which is included in this distribution. It contains complete
descriptions of the derived variables, including descriptions
of how constructed, notes on cross-wave differences, and all
raw HRS variables used.

The Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics at SSA provided important
research direction in the design of this data file.